Adding quick releases

[BikeCrazyAgain]

I have a cheap, no-name mountain bike that I've put road tires on as my first step back to biking after many years away. I like riding this bike, even though it weighs a ton, and since I'm just getting back to riding, I'm not really willing to buy a more expensive (read: better quality) bike.

So my question is this: how difficult is it to change the wheel hubs to have quick releases? It's damn inconvenient to have to break out the wrench just to take the wheels off, even though I haven't had to do it more than a time or two. I'm just wondering whether it's worth the effort (and $$, if I can't do it myself).

Thanks,
Patty

[cyclerUK]

You will need to change the axles to hollow ones.
This means stripping the old solid ones out, swapping over the cones, bearings, assembling and adjusting.
You must make sure you get the right length of axle and if re-using the old cones then the threads have to be the same.

See:- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_an-z.html#axleset

The new axles must NOT protrude beyond the dropout outer edges or the quick release will NOT grip!

[CoombsCyclingTech]

Hi,

I think I have the perfect solution for you. My company, Coombs Cycling Technologies is debuting a quick release adapter for bicycles with solid, threaded axles like the one you own at Interbike in Vegas on September 22nd (booth 5779). They should be available at your local shop or online around the beginning of the year.

You don't need to convert your hub to a hollow hub. It's simple, all you have to do is remove the nuts that are currently on your bike and replace them with these adpaters. No tools required. http://www.axlerelease.com.

Rudy

[cyclerUK]

That reminds me. When I were a lad! we used these:-
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Unbranded-3-8-Inch-Wing-Nuts-for-Nutted-Axle-Rear-17523.htm

[trevgbb]

(09-09-2010, 03:51 PM)cyclerUK Wrote:  That reminds me. When I were a lad! we used these:-
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Unbranded-3-8-Inch-Wing-Nuts-for-Nutted-Axle-Rear-17523.htm

In my experience these always end up with the wings broken off and/or your wheels being stolen.
I also saw a rider rip his calf open on one of these.
Sorry to be a Jeremiah!

[nfmisso]

Patty;

For the front, just buy a new wheel with QR; about $30-.

For the rear - don't do it.

Do invest in tires with Kevlar (I use Bell brand, available at Walmart, Amazon and many other places).

Do invest in SLIME or SLIME tubes.

[Joe_W]

I second the good, Kevlar-belted tyres. Most tyres nowadays have some sort of guards except for really lightweight race tyres (which you are not going to use) and probably really cheap ones (which you should not use). The only advantage of a quick release is the ability to get the wheel out quickly. Unless you have to do that daily I'd stick with the nuts and carry a hex wrench (together with the spare tube). QR wheels have the tendency to go AWOL....
I guess there is a reason why people buy things like PitLock.